Sunday, December 26, 2010

Mittens for the Mister

Things are at a standstill with the two color brioche stitch. I'm not getting anywhere with the written directions, and I haven't yet found a friend who has experience in this to teach me one on one.

In the meantime, the Mr. really would like a pair of extra-warm mittens. I shopped a little today, and succeeded in collecting what I believe will be ideal mitten materials. The Mr. seems to have had a minor case of frostbite a few years ago, and now winter is very painful on his fingers. I collected a Tahki Yarns Sedona hand dyed in a clear cool grey, and a really soft and lofty AslanTrends Bariloche kettle dyed. Both are a heavy worsted, and I plan to knit them up of 6s or 7s to make a very wind-resistant, warm and lofty mitten which will also shed water if the Mr. uses them to shovel or make snow balls. The AslanTrends has polyamid in it, making it a stable choice for wet work. The Tahki is all merino which might grow a little if it weren't knit in a fair isle or blended colorwork pattern with something like the Tahki.

I'm looking at a variety of patterns from the Robin Hansen book, Favorite Mittens. I haven't chosen, but it will keep my fingers busy until I can talk to a few more knitting friends and get two-color brioche lessons.

Another back-burner project which may finally get some attention is making me another pair of socks. Since I fell in love with the Schaeffer Nichole sock yarn, I haven't made myself a pair of socks, though I've made two other pair that I have gifted. I cast them on today, and will probably use them as my travelling project. (Waiting for appointments, killing time while travelling, etc.)

Between these, my monthly washcloth pattern, and designing an Andean Mountain hat for my youngest, my knitting future looks very busy. Just yesterday I was all caught up! It's my Karmic task to have perpetual knitting tasks. Where else would I work to combine creativity, patience, and a willingness to trust directions blindly? Bring it on!